Tim Tebow: Tennessee has to 'run through Dylan Sampson' to beat Ohio State

If Tennessee is going to knock off Ohio State Saturday night, the Volunteers’ offense has to go through Dylan Sampson.

For the bulk of the season, that’s been the case. Sampson’s been one of the most productive players in college football and maybe hasn’t gotten enough credit.

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So if Tennessee gets him going, the Volunteers should have the advantage even on the road.

“Well, everything has to run through Dylan Sampson, their running back,” Tebow said on SportsCenter. “I think he’s one of the best not just running backs, but players in the nation. He’s a running back that hasn’t got enough credit. He hasn’t got enough, no one’s talking about him, but he has been unreal this entire season. (Sampson) has dominated in the SEC. He’s making people miss, as you see on the screen over and over, fighting for extra yards.

“And this Tennessee offense, it’s not the same spread offense. People think it is a run first offense, but then when you get it going now you have to be able to play the safeties. Don’t let them play you.” 

Of course, you have to feed Sampson. And if he starts gashing the Ohio State defense, the Buckeyes will have to play catch up.

The reason? The pass game opens up for Nico Iamaleava.

“I love how Nico forces him to the boundary, and throws right behind him, next window, big play behind him, and now you’re letting your big play receivers play in space and dominate,” Tebow said breaking down the film. “But it has to start with their running game. Then Nico has to understand how to play the safeties, especially Caleb Downs, and then when you have the opportunity, you need to scheme at mismatches, because you don’t find a lot against Ohio State, they’re still gifted. 

“But when you can get your tight end on a play action it gets a linebacker. That’s how you scheme up mismatches, and no one’s better in that than Josh Heupel. But it has to start with the running game, then you have to understand where your safeties are.”

This year, Sampson has 256 carries for 1,485 yards, 22 touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry, 19 catches and 141 receiving yards.